I think it's a matter of preference. I'm leggy for my height and like to look even taller so I prefer longer pants so I can wear high wedges with them. I'm wearing really wide pants today with big cuffs, love em!

Wide leg pants are pretty hard for everyone to pull off and if you're petite it's more of a challenge because they've got so much volume. If you love them you can experiment with the slimmer cut wide leg versions with a high cut waist (with a 'fitted' shirt). But, since you're so petite slim cut trousers, skinnies and some bootleg cuts are easier to work with. I'm tall and a lot of wide leg pants also make me look frumpy they're pretty hard to pull off.

Originally Posted by lenasblend

Agreed! Years ago I found an awesome pair of high waisted wide legged wool pants that are just gorgeous and don't give me the frumpy look.

I have to wear them with a "button down shirt" that has the false leotard thing going on because it needs to be that slim and the bottoms are that fitted at the waist.

@ jeep didn't think you required it just sharing my thoughts on it just as you are.

I don't think the fashion industry considers short people to be dumpy. Tall anorexic (I mean thin) models were originally used because clothes hang on them like hangers and they have no curves to disrupt the line of of the clothes, they're basically invisible underneath the clothes. Personally, I think people who don't have that particular body type have taken personal offense to the whole thing and blown it out of proportion. That isn't my personal preference for a bangin' body type personally, but I do understand why designers use it to display their designs.

But the thing is I don't consider that body type the standard of attractiveness. I don't want to look like that. But people who are in fashion insist on dressing each body type to specific rules basically under the assumption that everyone shoots for that type. If you're pear-shaped it's about how to downplay it as if it needs to be, for example.
I wear what looks good by simply looking at a mirror, not by some rules. I just don't think it's that complicated.

But the thing is I don't consider that body type the standard of attractiveness. I don't want to look like that. But people who are in fashion insist on dressing each body type to specific rules basically under the assumption that everyone shoots for that type. If you're pear-shaped it's about how to downplay it as if it needs to be, for example.
I wear what looks good by simply looking at a mirror, not by some rules. I just don't think it's that complicated.

Originally Posted by Saria

I was trying to think of a way to say this, and you said it much better than anything I was coming up with!

"And death is at your doorstep
And it will steal your innocence
But it will not steal your substance
But you are not alone in this"

“My ability to turn good news into anxiety is rivaled only by my ability to turn anxiety into chin acne.” - Tina Fey

But the thing is I don't consider that body type the standard of attractiveness. I don't want to look like that. But people who are in fashion insist on dressing each body type to specific rules basically under the assumption that everyone shoots for that type. If you're pear-shaped it's about how to downplay it as if it needs to be, for example.
I wear what looks good by simply looking at a mirror, not by some rules. I just don't think it's that complicated.

Originally Posted by Saria

Just wanted to pipe up and say this is one of the main reasons why I decided to NOT pursue fashion after having completed my degree in it. I just couldn't care less about this nonsense. I think it's ridiculous that we should all want to look a certain way. I wear what makes me feel comfortable, whether or not it follows any silly rules.

@ saria I see what you're saying and to a degree that's true. Most people prefer balance and proportion and if they're carrying all of their weight in the bottom half but they're thin on the top half (pear), most women would prefer to balance that out if they can. I'm sure some have a preference for a pear shape everyone likes what they like but there are many who don't and that's why there is a market for professionals to help them correct that.

But the thing is I don't consider that body type the standard of attractiveness. I don't want to look like that. But people who are in fashion insist on dressing each body type to specific rules basically under the assumption that everyone shoots for that type. If you're pear-shaped it's about how to downplay it as if it needs to be, for example.
I wear what looks good by simply looking at a mirror, not by some rules. I just don't think it's that complicated.

Originally Posted by Saria

Ah, but you're still young, pretty, and thin, so you don't have to care yet.

This question has taken an interesting direction.... My inseam is 27.5, and I've very rarely been able to find (key word stylish bootcut jeans at this length AT a price I can afford. I could expand my horizons a little bit and pay more, but I find the more upscale, the longer the inseams. I don't find it's worth it to even buy jeans any more because when do people who work 5 days a week even wear them, anyway? I gave up and just switched to yoga pants for days off. Those are hard to find, too. I buy them in the kids' section of stores. I keep a couple pairs of jeans around, but they're looking scuzzy because even though I wear them with like a 2 in wedge or heel, they've gotten worn from dragging the ground! How do short people find jeans to fit, let alone jeans you can wear flats with?

This question has taken an interesting direction.... My inseam is 27.5, and I've very rarely been able to find (key word stylish bootcut jeans at this length AT a price I can afford. I could expand my horizons a little bit and pay more, but I find the more upscale, the longer the inseams. I don't find it's worth it to even buy jeans any more because when do people who work 5 days a week even wear them, anyway? I gave up and just switched to yoga pants for days off. Those are hard to find, too. I buy them in the kids' section of stores. I keep a couple pairs of jeans around, but they're looking scuzzy because even though I wear them with like a 2 in wedge or heel, they've gotten worn from dragging the ground! How do short people find jeans to fit, let alone jeans you can wear flats with?

Originally Posted by NorahBugg

It's definitely tough. I think that's about what my inseam is (maybe a tiny bit longer) - but most "short" lengths seem to run somewhere around 29-30'', so they're still too long either way! I tried on some cute, flattering boot cut jeans at H&M that were the right length. I honestly don't know why I didn't buy them. I think I was feeling especially cheap that day?

My "short friend" (4' 11'') always shops at Delia's for her jeans. It's definitely a teeny-bopper store, but their jeans come in petite and extra-petite lengths (28 and 26 inch inseams), so I might try it! I can't say I'm a fan of their washes, but it might be worth a try... I'm in desperate need of some new jeans.

"And death is at your doorstep
And it will steal your innocence
But it will not steal your substance
But you are not alone in this"

“My ability to turn good news into anxiety is rivaled only by my ability to turn anxiety into chin acne.” - Tina Fey

This question has taken an interesting direction.... My inseam is 27.5, and I've very rarely been able to find (key word stylish bootcut jeans at this length AT a price I can afford. I could expand my horizons a little bit and pay more, but I find the more upscale, the longer the inseams. I don't find it's worth it to even buy jeans any more because when do people who work 5 days a week even wear them, anyway? I gave up and just switched to yoga pants for days off. Those are hard to find, too. I buy them in the kids' section of stores. I keep a couple pairs of jeans around, but they're looking scuzzy because even though I wear them with like a 2 in wedge or heel, they've gotten worn from dragging the ground! How do short people find jeans to fit, let alone jeans you can wear flats with?

Originally Posted by NorahBugg

It's definitely tough. I think that's about what my inseam is (maybe a tiny bit longer) - but most "short" lengths seem to run somewhere around 29-30'', so they're still too long either way! I tried on some cute, flattering boot cut jeans at H&M that were the right length. I honestly don't know why I didn't buy them. I think I was feeling especially cheap that day?

My "short friend" (4' 11'') always shops at Delia's for her jeans. It's definitely a teeny-bopper store, but their jeans come in petite and extra-petite lengths (28 and 26 inch inseams), so I might try it! I can't say I'm a fan of their washes, but it might be worth a try... I'm in desperate need of some new jeans.

Originally Posted by SCG

I haven't heard anything about Delias for so long - I wasn't sure they were still in business! That's a blast from the past - we used to pass around their catalogs in high school, 12-15 years ago. I may check them out, too - can't be any worse than buying yoga pants from the kids's section of Old Navy.

How do short people find jeans to fit, let alone jeans you can wear flats with?

Originally Posted by NorahBugg

I either have my jeans hemmed for boots or I don't hem them at all because they're straight leg and look fine with a little bunching up at the bottom.

I just realized something. I cannot wear straight leg jeans with boots or heels. It's the flip side of my other quirk.

Anyway, for yoga pants or trousers, try Old Navy.com since they carry petite sizes (same goes for Gap.com). I have some petite trousers from Old Navy but I can't wear them with any kind of high heels. Here are the inseams sold at both online stores:

Ironically, I've had good luck with Gap's Long and Lean style in short lengths. No need to hem and I can wear them with flats.

Originally Posted by Like.Australia

It's funny you mention those jeans. I just got a pair in white. They were sold out of my size online and the stores don't carry ankle lengths for anything under 2. So I got regular and plan to hem them with the fold over method. These are my first Gap jeans and they are really flattering.

Ironically, I've had good luck with Gap's Long and Lean style in short lengths. No need to hem and I can wear them with flats.

Originally Posted by Like.Australia

It's funny you mention those jeans. I just got a pair in white. They were sold out of my size online and the stores don't carry ankle lengths for anything under 2. So I got regular and plan to hem them with the fold over method. These are my first Gap jeans and they are really flattering.

Originally Posted by medussa

I haven't been able to wear mine for a few months - haven't bothered with getting any full-length maternity jeans - and I miss them! I've been wearing rolled-cuff capri-ish maternity jeans with flipflops since.. er.. it got above 50*. I know, mortal sin. Anyway, I hope I can fit back into my regular ones come fall.

Ironically, I've had good luck with Gap's Long and Lean style in short lengths. No need to hem and I can wear them with flats.

Originally Posted by Like.Australia

It's funny you mention those jeans. I just got a pair in white. They were sold out of my size online and the stores don't carry ankle lengths for anything under 2. So I got regular and plan to hem them with the fold over method. These are my first Gap jeans and they are really flattering.

Originally Posted by medussa

I haven't been able to wear mine for a few months - haven't bothered with getting any full-length maternity jeans - and I miss them! I've been wearing rolled-cuff capri-ish maternity jeans with flipflops since.. er.. it got above 50*. I know, mortal sin. Anyway, I hope I can fit back into my regular ones come fall.

Originally Posted by Like.Australia

I forgot when you're due, but I had all of my kids during the month of July. I wore my regular jeans up until it started to get really warm (I put something on them to expand the waistband), then I started to use something like these, but they were cotton. I tied them under my belly in the final months.

How do short people find jeans to fit, let alone jeans you can wear flats with?

Originally Posted by NorahBugg

I either have my jeans hemmed for boots or I don't hem them at all because they're straight leg and look fine with a little bunching up at the bottom.

I just realized something. I cannot wear straight leg jeans with boots or heels. It's the flip side of my other quirk.

Anyway, for yoga pants or trousers, try Old Navy.com since they carry petite sizes (same goes for Gap.com). I have some petite trousers from Old Navy but I can't wear them with any kind of high heels. Here are the inseams sold at both online stores:

Old Navy
Petite: 29 1/2"
Short: 30"
Regular: 32"
Long: 34"
Tall: 36"

Gap
ankle: 30"
regular: 33"
long: 35"
tall: 37"
petite: 30"

Originally Posted by medussa

Wow, I didn't know Gap's long and talls are so long! I may need to retry their jeans, I never liked the way they fit before. Most places have 34" for long but I prefer longer because I wear very high heels and platforms. I may try old navy too although I don't care for the quality besides the fit.